“Wheel of Fortune” did it again. This is the third time I remember. The first one really sticks in my mind: a person said “Silicone” (as in “Valley”) in a pronunciation that is quite common–but not the one the show’s producers wanted. Recently they disqualified a contestant for having dry-mouth and stumbling over the tongue-twister “Corner Curio Cabinet.” (Let THEM try to say that a few times in a row!) Each time a contestant lost in this way it was obvious to everyone, including the producers, that he was identifying the phrase accurately.
This is a form of discrimination. Against those who are nervous or not good at tongue-twisters, of course, but potentially to others. To avoid charges of discrimination, “Wheel” should screen people better, not allowing anyone on the show who is foreign-born, with English as their second language; from the South or other areas of the U.S. where variations in English pronunciation are the norm; or from ethnic groups with accepted languages variances (e.g., a Black person who says “ax” instead of “ask” is in trouble). And be sure not to accept applicants who have speech impediments or Tourette Syndrome.
In short, everyone who would compete on “Wheel of Fortune” MUST have perfect So. CA diction–or at least what the producers’ accept as such.
OR…the producers can learn to be reasonable, fair people.
